Cambodian public works and transport minister has requested Japan to assist the ministry in building civil engineering skills for its relevant officials.

Senior Minister H.E. Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport, made the request while receiving here yesterday visiting Japanese MP H.E. Nakane Kazuyuki.

Currently, he said, only 3.4 percent of Cambodian students study this subject at various universities.

The senior minister deeply thanked the Japanese side for its support and contribution to the reconstruction and development of infrastructure in Cambodia.

H.E. Sun Chanthol also informed his guest of some current infrastructure projects such as the expansion of NR5 from Prek Kdam to Poipet, the expansion of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, the use of Port EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system, and so on.

H.E. Sun Chanthol said the ministry is currently working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to coordinate the temporary opening of Stung Bot international border gate (Stung Bot Bridge), on the Cambodian-Thai border, to reduce congestion at PoA�pet international border gate.

For his part, H.E. Nakane Kazuyuki promised to take into consideration the requests and to respond positively. He also welcomed the initiative of the in-depth reform of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in particular the launch of Road Care Mobile App, as well as the rapid progress of Cambodia.